Knicks sign Jonathan Bender! He hasn't played in NBA in years

[insidehoops]

New York Knickerbockers President of Basketball Operations Donnie Walsh announced today that free agent forward Jonathan Bender has been signed to a contract. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed. InsideHoops.com guesses that it is a nonguaranteed contract for one season.

More: http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/?p=5138

[Knicks101]

Very interesting, I used to beast with this guy in NBA Live 06.

[kuniva_dAMiGhTy]

Donnie Walsh strikes again.

[Real Men Wear Green]

What are the odds D'Antoni plays him at center?

[kumquat]

WOW break out year for bender. Donnie, Darius Miles is still a free agent!

[InspiredLebowski]

I'm stunned. I'll be even moreso if he can actually play consistent minutes.

[browntown]

LOL get Bender, but you don't want to sign Iverson. huh that's really wierd.

[Kobe Jnr]

Thought this guy retired...

[Toizumi]

:eek: Never thought he would be back...


"Due to a medical condition in my knees, I will not be able to continue playing basketball"

Guess he was wrong. :oldlol:


Donnie Walsh always had faith in this guy though. He was a big fan of Bender and always believed he could turn out to be great. Bender was 'his' project and it looks like he never gave up on him. Walsh just might be the only GM to give Bender a second shot at playing in the NBA.

Good for Bender, but a risky (bad) pick up by the Knicks if you ask me.
Bender relied on his athleticism and that might've taken a serious hit because of the the injuries and years of not playing. He is only 28 though, so who knows. Back then I think he would've done great in a run and gun system.. lets see how much he has left.

Can't hate - Welcome back Bender :applause:

[bagelred]

It's a banner ****ing year at the Bender household. Breakfast Club

[Abd El-Krim]

This is a surprise. Wasn't he running a HUD scam in New Orleans?

[bagelred]

Let's see, Knicks have Lee, Jeffries, Curry, Hill, and Milicic as big men, not to mention Harrington and Gallinari who both have size.

Yet Walsh felt need to add Bender.



Hmmmm......me thinks Knicks have another trade up their sleeve........Jeffries a goner?

[Knicks101]

:eek: Never thought he would be back...



Guess he was wrong. :oldlol:


Donnie Walsh always had faith in this guy though. He was a big fan of Bender and always believed he could turn out to be great. Bender was 'his' project and it looks like he never gave up on him. Walsh just might be the only GM to give Bender a second shot at playing in the NBA.

Good for Bender, but a risky (bad) pick up by the Knicks if you ask me.
Bender relied on his athleticism and that might've taken a serious hit because of the the injuries and years of not playing. He is only 28 though, so who knows. Back then I think he would've done great in a run and gun system.. lets see how much he has left.

Can't hate - Welcome back Bender :applause:

How do you figure?


Let's see, Knicks have Lee, Jeffries, Curry, Hill, and Milicic as big men, not to mention Harrington and Gallinari who both have size.

Yet Walsh felt need to add Bender.



Hmmmm......me thinks Knicks have another trade up their sleeve........Jeffries a goner?

Either a trade or they want another big body for practice.

[InspiredLebowski]

This is a surprise. Wasn't he running a HUD scam in New Orleans?

All the construction was on the up and up as far as I know.

[bagelred]

How do you figure?



Either a trade or they want another big body for practice.

Its possible, but I doubt that. Teams don't pay guys $800,000 as a practice body. You could literally hire a D League player just to travel with the team to practice for like $75,000.

Just doesn't make sense, unless another trade in the works. Time will tell.

But getting Bender certaintly isn't "risky". What's the risk?

[Toizumi]

How do you figure?


sixth sense :D

[RaceBannana]

"Jonathan Bender"...
is it that robot from futurama? :wtf:

[HylianNightmare]

http://sports.espn.go.com/photo/2008/0901/nba_g_bender1_300.jpg

good for Bender, don't really see him getting much burn though

[Knicks101]

Its possible, but I doubt that. Teams don't pay guys $800,000 as a practice body. You could literally hire a D League player just to travel with the team to practice for like $75,000.

Just doesn't make sense, unless another trade in the works. Time will tell.

But getting Bender certaintly isn't "risky". What's the risk?

We don't have the details of the contract, but I guess they could just re-sign Chris Hunter or one of the other bums they picked up last season for cheap. Maybe Walsh just likes Bender and wants to give him some cash. :confusedshrug:


sixth sense :D

I don't mean why do you think that he'll be bad. What's the risk? If he sucks you cut him.

[bagelred]

"Jonathan Bender"...
is it that robot from futurama? :wtf:

Some trivia:

Bender from Futurama was named after John Bender of The Breakfast Club.

[bagelred]

Maybe Walsh just likes Bender and wants to give him some cash. :confusedshrug:
.

I swear, I was thinking the same thing. Maybe he just likes the guy or are friends, and this is a way to get him some cash legally. This wouldn't be the first time.

James Dolan and Allan Houston were good friends supposedly. That's why he paid him $100 million in an extension.

[Toizumi]

I don't mean why do you think that he'll be bad. What's the risk? If he sucks you cut him.

my bad. Well there's no risk for the Knicks, I meant that they're taking a risk on him, since he hasnt played for so long and was already retired due to injury.

[bagelred]

On a related matter, Donnie Walsh really likes to brings players in he knows. Harrington, now Bender....

Look for Knicks to try to get Jermaine O'Neal cheaply during the summer.

[boozehound]

wow, another indy combo forward from back in the day. Always liked him. I thought he didnt have any cartilage left in either knee?

[Bano114]

Let's see, Knicks have Lee, Jeffries, Curry, Hill, and Milicic as big men, not to mention Harrington and Gallinari who both have size.

Yet Walsh felt need to add Bender.



Hmmmm......me thinks Knicks have another trade up their sleeve........Jeffries a goner?

I hope they do.

[Bano114]

On a related matter, Donnie Walsh really likes to brings players in he knows. Harrington, now Bender....

Look for Knicks to try to get Jermaine O'Neal cheaply during the summer.

He was also trying to bring in Tinsley....

Good thing he didnt:rolleyes:

[LA_Showtime]

I guess Walsh wants to have an Indiana Pacers reunion. You guys can sign Jermaine O'Neal and Jamaal Tinsley this summer.

I doubt Jonathan Bender does anything special in his time with New York. He was quite the talent, but knee injuries derailed his career. I'm shocked to see him back in the league, because I thought he risked serious damage by playing again. I can tell you this, Bender won't feel as good as he does now once New York plays a couple of back to backs.

[ronnymac]

For a 7 footer, he was or still could be really agile. he's majority of minutes were played at SF/PF.

[LJJ]

I guess Walsh wants to have an Indiana Pacers reunion. You guys can sign Jermaine O'Neal and Jamaal Tinsley this summer.

I doubt Jonathan Bender does anything special in his time with New York. He was quite the talent, but knee injuries derailed his career. I'm shocked to see him back in the league, because I thought he risked serious damage by playing again. I can tell you this, Bender won't feel as good as he does now once New York plays a couple of back to backs.

I'm thinking O'Neal is probably plan B for when James isn't interested.

[NoGunzJustSkillz]

I'm thinking O'Neal is probably plan B for when James isn't interested.

i laughed..

[Bano114]

The only logical reason for signing this guy is if we're trading someone else soon. If we dont then this was a waste of a signing because D'Antoni only plays 8-9 guys anyways. And theres no way he should be getting minutes over Hill, who isnt even getting minutes now.

Maybey their just trying to give Darko a little company on the bench?:confusedshrug:

[OneMoreSucka]

Bender and Curry = twin towers.

Look out, NBA!

[oldknickfan]

Bender and Curry = twin towers.

Look out, NBA!

Bender and Curry = twin hospital room!:confusedshrug:

[imdaman99]

I'm thinking O'Neal is probably plan B for when James isn't interested.
Oh believe me, James is interested :D

[franchise#3]

Walsh should have signed Steve Francis. He would be a beast in d'antoni's system.

[RaininThrees]

http://blogs.eveningsun.com/troublebrewing/bender.jpg

[DuMa]

wheres spreewell and larry johnson? knicks disappoint again

[Meticode]

What are the odds D'Antoni plays him at center?

I forget which game, but I would go into Career mode, have him on the team and he would turn into a 22PP/11RPG player after 4 years. :oldlol: I remember I molded Darius Miles into a 25ppg, 9rpg, 38% 3p shooter.

[bagelred]

http://blogs.eveningsun.com/troublebrewing/bender.jpg

Can someone photoshop "Go Knicks" in the Applause sign.

[Knicks101]

I forget which game, but I would go into Career mode, have him on the team and he would turn into a 22PP/11RPG player after 4 years. :oldlol: I remember I molded Darius Miles into a 25ppg, 9rpg, 38% 3p shooter.

Probably NBA Live 06. Nobody had a skill set like Bender. He could play in the post, shoot threes, dunk on everybody. He was ridiculous.

[LA_Showtime]

Probably NBA Live 06. Nobody had a skill set like Bender. He could play in the post, shoot threes, dunk on everybody. He was ridiculous.

Kevin Durant before Kevin Durant basically.

[OneMoreSucka]

http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/2267/bendercopy.jpg

[phoenix18]

Probably NBA Live 06. Nobody had a skill set like Bender. He could play in the post, shoot threes, dunk on everybody. He was ridiculous.
In NBA Live 06, Yao could hit halfcourt hook shots. I am sure that Johnathan Bender was ridiculous. I dropped 221 points with Kobe Bryant. That game was a joke.

[chocolatethunder]

Probably NBA Live 06. Nobody had a skill set like Bender. He could play in the post, shoot threes, dunk on everybody. He was ridiculous.

It's a shame because in real life he's always sucked.

[bdreason]

Doesn't sound right.

Either he's being used for an upcoming trade, or he's being paid for non-basketball related reasons.


It's a crazy world, you never know.

[flipogb]

Doesn't sound right.

Either he's being used for an upcoming trade, or he's being paid for non-basketball related reasons.


It's a crazy world, you never know.

maybe an extra player to have enough on the roster after a big trade where they send a lot of players out?T-Mac maybe?

[wang4three]

Channing Frye of the Knicks.

[Bano114]

maybe an extra player to have enough on the roster after a big trade where they send a lot of players out?T-Mac maybe?

I hope so.

Curry Harrington and Chandler for T-Mac and maybey a pick.

[Knicks101]

I hope so.

Curry Harrington and Chandler for T-Mac and maybey a pick.

I'll pass

[Maga_1]

I thought this guy was an undrafted rookie when i read the news :lol

[OneMoreSucka]

I'll pass
Jeffries and Nate for Andre Miller and Travis Outlaw :banana: :banana: :banana:

[Bano114]

I'll pass

For me id do almost any trade to get rid of curry.

[bagelred]

Jeffries and Nate for Andre Miller and Travis Outlaw :banana: :banana: :banana:

As soon as Oden got injured, I was onboard that bandwagon. Or Curry. Whatever Portland wants. :D

But seriously, how else are we to interpret this pickup? How can anyone justify giving Bender minutes over Hill? Hill is the freakin' #8 pick. If he can't even crack the rotation over a guy who's been out of the league for years, what good is he?:confusedshrug:

There's gotta be more too this. I think once the December 15th and other trade restrictions are gone, we'll see something happen.

[Sanity]

The only thing left to do is get rid of Eddy Curry and sign Rik Smits

http://media.giantbomb.com/uploads/0/2986/612054-rik_smits_large.jpg

The Dunkin' Dutchman would own

[bagelred]

http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/2267/bendercopy.jpg

Damn that's good. What program you use to do that? Photoshop?


Gots me a new avatar.

[Knicks101]

For me id do almost any trade to get rid of curry.

If LeBron doesn't come, you just gave Chandler up for nothing. :confusedshrug:

[OneMoreSucka]

Damn that's good. What program you use to do that? Photoshop?


Gots me a new avatar.
Yeah, Photoshop CS3.

[Bano114]

If LeBron doesn't come, you just gave Chandler up for nothing. :confusedshrug:

If Lebron doesnt come were going to have the money for 2 guys that will justify not getting LeBron.

Wade/Amar'e
Wade/Bosh
Amar'e/Bosh (only because the Knicks would be dumb enough to sign 2 players of the same position. Well, i got to give credit to the T'Wolves cuz they're gna do that with Raymond Felton and TJ Ford and draft John Wall.)

All those combos would be as good as getting LeBron from a fan point of view and better for a winning point of view.

[Knicks101]

If Lebron doesnt come were going to have the money for 2 guys that will justify not getting LeBron.

Wade/Amar'e
Wade/Bosh
Amar'e/Bosh (only because the Knicks would be dumb enough to sign 2 players of the same position. Well, i got to give credit to the T'Wolves cuz they're gna do that with Raymond Felton and TJ Ford and draft John Wall.)

All those combos would be as good as getting LeBron from a fan point of view and better for a winning point of view.

I don't see Wade coming here and honestly

Douglas
Wade
Gallinari
Bosh
Whoever

doesn't scream championship to me. We're not trying to build a Playoff team, we're trying to build a dynasty. LeBron gets you that, Wade and Bosh do not. If LeBron stays in Cleveland I say sign guys to 1 year contracts again, tank and try again next year.

[bagelred]

I do wonder what plan B is....if Lebron doesn't arrive.

[ronnymac]

The Knicks have a plan B?. did they have a plan B when they got Curry? or Hughes? or everytime they made a blunder?.

[jlawdrummer]

The Knicks have a plan B?. did they have a plan B when they got Curry? or Hughes? or everytime they made a blunder?.

Hughes wasn't really a blunder. Curry, and most other "blunders" were done by Dolan and/or Isaih, mostly Mr. Thomas is to blame.

There is a new GM. To attribute the previous GM's mistakes to the current GM is pretty ignorant.

As for Hughes, his contract expires this offseason. That was a smart move to bring guys like him and Harrington in. Crawford and ZBo had talent, but they were not going to be key parts of a championship team for the Knicks. And their contracts were too big to allow the Knicks to go after any real big FA's that they can build around.

Walsh made smart moves to move those longer contracts for shorter ones, and to add to that, Hughes and Harrington are playing pretty well for the Knicks, so it has been a very good move thus far.

[bagelred]

The Knicks have a plan B?. did they have a plan B when they got Curry? or Hughes? or everytime they made a blunder?.

Stuck in the year 2005, are ya?

[bagelred]

Hughes wasn't really a blunder. Curry, and most other "blunders" were done by Dolan and/or Isaih, mostly Mr. Thomas is to blame.

There is a new GM. To attribute the previous GM's mistakes to the current GM is pretty ignorant.

As for Hughes, his contract expires this offseason. That was a smart move to bring guys like him and Harrington in. Crawford and ZBo had talent, but they were not going to be key parts of a championship team for the Knicks. And their contracts were too big to allow the Knicks to go after any real big FA's that they can build around.

Walsh made smart moves to move those longer contracts for shorter ones, and to add to that, Hughes and Harrington are playing pretty well for the Knicks, so it has been a very good move thus far.

THIS

Walsh turned ZBo and Crawford into Hughes and Harrington, about equal in talent with better contracts, while dumping Jerome James in the process. About as good as expected. :cheers:

[Bano114]

THIS

Walsh turned ZBo and Crawford into Hughes and Harrington, about equal in talent with better contracts, while dumping Jerome James in the process. About as good as expected. :cheers:

If he could move Jefferies or Curry he could be considered the greatest GM of all time.

[bagelred]

If he could move Jefferies or Curry he could be considered the greatest GM of all time.

I've said this many times, but the Knicks don't want to trade Jeffries. I'm confident D'Antoni doesn't. I think Jeffries is his favorite player (well, maybe 2nd to Gallo...).

Knicks will do everything in their power to dump Curry...everything. I think they trade jeffries only as a last resort.


If only there was another way to get Curry's contract off the books.....if, let's say Eddy were to be the victim of an unfortunate accident, that might solve a problem or two.....I mean, god forbid........


......looking at Knicks101, Bano114, and OneMoreSucka.......nodding in unison......wheels in motion..........Usual Suspects music plays........

[OneMoreSucka]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=We59Qz-ffXc&feature=related

[DTD]

That's the last time, Bender. That's the last time you ever make me look bad in front of those kids. You hear me? I make $31,000 a year, and I have a home, and I'm not about to throw it all away on some punk like you. But someday, when you're outta here, and you've forgotten all about this place, and they've forgotten all about you, and you're wrapped up in your own pathetic life, I'm gonna be there. That's right, and I'm gonna kick the living sh#t out of you. I'm gonna knock your d*#k in the dirt.

[bagelred]

Walsh "That's the last time, Bender. That's the last time you ever make me look good in front of those players. You hear me? I make $3,100,000 a year, and I have three homes, and I'm not about to throw it all away on some saint like you. But someday, when you're outta here, and you've forgotten all about this league, and they've forgotten all about you, and you're wrapped up in your own honorable life, I'm gonna be there. That's right, and I'm gonna kiss the living sh#t out of you. I'm gonna knock your doc in the dirt.

Updated.

[niko]

I don't see Wade coming here and honestly

Douglas
Wade
Gallinari
Bosh
Whoever

doesn't scream championship to me. We're not trying to build a Playoff team, we're trying to build a dynasty. LeBron gets you that, Wade and Bosh do not. If LeBron stays in Cleveland I say sign guys to 1 year contracts again, tank and try again next year.

No, sign a max guy and next year you have enough expirers for another max guy. 2011 we have the same situation as this year. Exactly.

[lukekarts]

Is Bender slang for gay in the US?

[poido123]

If he could move Jefferies or Curry he could be considered the greatest GM of all time.

Yeah, but IMO Curry is only moveable if you paired him with a decent player in a trade or an expirer...Other than that, his crispy-creme donut ass is staying with the Knicks...I don't want to hear Knicks/Bulls trade rumours anymore, the thought of having that big lard ass back with my beloved Bulls gives me nightmares, and oh ,we don't want blackhole Harrington either!! :no:

[bagelred]

and oh ,we don't want blackhole Harrington either!! :no:

:oldlol: Harrington would easily become your best scorer. Your team blows......and it was SUPPOSED to be great. Nice.....

[Knicks101]

No, sign a max guy and next year you have enough expirers for another max guy. 2011 we have the same situation as this year. Exactly.

Who would you sign this year?


Saw this on Alan Hahn's twitter.


RT @meanbarb: DAntoni says he may play Jonathan Bender tomorrow, after only two days of practice.

:roll: The ****?

[InspiredLebowski]

I'm honestly afraid to watch Bender play. I keep picturing him in a wheelchair at 35.

[bagelred]

OK, NOW I get why they signed him.....Alan Hahn on twitter or someone who replied hit the nail on the head.

Bender was signed primarily as a trade asset.

Notice he was signed on December 13th, out of the blue. This is so Knicks can have him on roster for at least 60 days and then he can be included in trades before February 19th trade deadline.

So if Knicks need to throw Bender into a deal to get a matching trade, they can do it. Before the deadline......

So Walsh gets his buddy some money, Knicks get a good guy on roster who could give them a few minutes, but primarily it was to have as a future asset. Without having to pay him from day 1 of the season.

:cheers:

[boozehound]

OK, NOW I get why they signed him.....Alan Hahn on twitter or someone who replied hit the nail on the head.

Bender was signed primarily as a trade asset.

Notice he was signed on December 13th, out of the blue. This is so Knicks can have him on roster for at least 60 days and then he can be included in trades before February 19th trade deadline.

So if Knicks need to throw Bender into a deal to get a matching trade, they can do it. Before the deadline......

So Walsh gets his buddy some money, Knicks get a good guy on roster who could give them a few minutes, but primarily it was to have as a future asset. Without having to pay him from day 1 of the season.

:cheers:
how is a dude who was medically retired at age 25 (with career highs of ~7 and 3 rbs) an asset 3 years later?

[AAckley1]

Man, everyone in the state of Indiana was behind Jonathan Bender. If he would of never grown as much as he had, (he was 6'9 when the Pacers drafted him), I really think he could have been special.

As much as people talk about Bender's career stats, you should realize the Pacers were stocked in the frontcourt at that time. JO7, Harrington, Foster, Brad Miller, Austin Croshere all got minutes over him.

In case you guys forgot, Bender broke "you know whos" McDonald's All-American Game scoring record, and was the first high school player to score double digits in his first game (10 points in 13 minutes)

I think the skill set is there for him to succeed, it's if his body can hold up is the question.

[InspiredLebowski]

how is a dude who was medically retired at age 25 (with career highs of ~7 and 3 rbs) an asset 3 years later?

It's not that Bender himself can actually net anything in a deal, but his contract (just short of $1mm or so with his experience I think) can help facilitate a deal as filler. Walsh helps Bender (more then he already did with the ridiculous extension) and continues his streak of never admitting a mistake.

[bagelred]

It's not that Bender himself can actually net anything in a deal, but his contract (just short of $1mm or so with his experience I think) can help facilitate a deal as filler. Walsh helps Bender (more then he already did with the ridiculous extension) and continues his streak of never admitting a mistake.

This is how he's an asset.

[niko]

Besides the fact it's the Knicks, and you all like to bag on them, how is signing someone who was immensely talented but had injury problems to a 1 year contract (no future liability) to see what he can do a bad move? There is no downside. There may be no upside, but there is absolutely ZERO downside. :confusedshrug:

[Poodle]

It's not that Bender himself can actually net anything in a deal, but his contract (just short of $1mm or so with his experience I think) can help facilitate a deal as filler. Walsh helps Bender (more then he already did with the ridiculous extension) and continues his streak of never admitting a mistake.


I don't really understand this. Are there not a plethora of players that aren't playing in the NBA right now where a team can gain this same type of asset? Or is Bender somehow a special case because he retired due to knee issues when it comes to his contract?

i saw him play in Indiana and he got decent run sometimes. I wasn't impressed at all. Then again i'm not impressed with Brandon Rush either, i have no idea what they see in some of these players.

[Mateo]

I hate how underachieving athletic players who suffer from injuries get dumped into the "would have been great if not the injuries" categories. You can't say that. You don't know.

[chocolatethunder]

Man, everyone in the state of Indiana was behind Jonathan Bender. If he would of never grown as much as he had, (he was 6'9 when the Pacers drafted him), I really think he could have been special.

As much as people talk about Bender's career stats, you should realize the Pacers were stocked in the frontcourt at that time. JO7, Harrington, Foster, Brad Miller, Austin Croshere all got minutes over him.

In case you guys forgot, Bender broke "you know whos" McDonald's All-American Game scoring record, and was the first high school player to score double digits in his first game (10 points in 13 minutes)

I think the skill set is there for him to succeed, it's if his body can hold up is the question.

Really? You mean his lack of playing time made his FG% crappy? Career 42%. How does his lack of PT explain the fact that he was a poor rebounder? Even his per 36 minutes in his best year (that he played more than 20 games) would have given him 5.8 rpg. Please stop this bs. This guy is and always was a bum. It's fantastic that he had a great game in a high school all star game but sorry to break it to you, that's not the NBA. If this guy was white you'd be laughing at how much of a bust he was.

[InspiredLebowski]

I don't really understand this. Are there not a plethora of players that aren't playing in the NBA right now where a team can gain this same type of asset? Or is Bender somehow a special case because he retired due to knee issues when it comes to his contract?

Of course there's all kinds of guys on the street they could've signed to be contract filler. But if you're a GM who drafted a high school kid in the top 5, trading a (flukey) All Star to get him, and the kid's trying to rejuvenate his career why not give him a chance?